Tokaj Mountain MTB Adventure: TV Tower, Quarry Lake and Blessing Christ

Elevation gain +686.0m / -686.0m

Estimated time 6h 48m

Route properties

Available transport: Bike Electric bicycle
Target groups: Class trips Families with younger children Families with older children Seniors Friends Multigenerational programs Couples

Route plan

Here you can see where you start, what you pass through and where you arrive.

Route path Point of interest

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Locations on this route

Rákóczi Harvesting House In the heart of Tarcal, within one of the most impressive historic buildings of the wine region, lies the exhibition site of the Tarcal Viticulture and Oenology Research Institute, the Rákóczi Harvesting House. The building uniquely combines the historical legacy of the Rákóczi family with the centuries-old traditions of viticulture and winemaking in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, as well as modern scientific research.
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Tarcal Located on the main street of Tarcal, in the heart of Tokaj-Hegyalja, stands one of the most significant architectural landmarks of the town – the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This graceful Baroque building is not only a centre of local religious life but also a key site reflecting the rich history, artistic heritage of the wine region, and Central European pilgrimage tourism.
Blessing Christ Statue One of the most impressive and striking modern sacred monuments of the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is the Blessing Christ Statue towering over the Ócsanó Hill above Tarcal. This monumental creation is not only a pilgrimage site for the faithful but also one of the most popular destinations for tourists and active leisure seekers visiting the region, offering unparalleled views of the Hegyalja vineyards and the meeting point of the Great Plain.
Tarcali Sea Eye One of the most unique natural wonders of the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is the sea eye, born from a quarry lake, located on the edge of Tarcal. The turquoise and emerald green hues of the water, nestled within steep rock walls, offer a breathtaking sight that showcases the renewing power of nature and the geological richness of the wine region.

Destinations on this route

A detailed description of the route can be found on the borbringa.hu website. The route was compiled by the staff of Tokaj Wine Region Development Nonprofit Ltd., and it has been published with their permission.

This tour is specifically recommended for more experienced MTB cyclists who, in addition to exploring the sights around Tokaj Mountain, are also looking for a bit of physical challenge and adventure. While the distance itself is not particularly long, the nearly 5-kilometre climb, the vineyard paths, the rocky trails, and the steeper section leading to the Blessing Christ statue ensure a truly rewarding cycling experience.

The tour is based on the circular cycling route around the mountain: starting from Tokaj, we head along the Bodrog River towards Bodrogkeresztúr. There is only one section – the 3-kilometre stretch connecting Bodrogkeresztúr and Tarcal – that runs on a low-traffic rural road, so proceed with extra caution here.

Upon reaching Tarcal, we leave the main road after passing the cemetery and continue on a vineyard path. We join the asphalt road leading to the TV tower about two-thirds of the way up and then cycle on the asphalt all the way to the tower. From here, turning left and heading downhill, we can take an exciting detour on some trails – proceed carefully on this section as you may encounter hikers.

The trail briefly rejoins the TV tower asphalt road before we turn off again towards Tarcal Quarry Lake. Upon reaching the lake, it’s worth taking a short break to enjoy the scenery before tackling the next short but steep climb to the Blessing Christ statue. The surroundings of the statue offer a breathtaking experience, both spiritually and scenically.

Descending from the statue, we quickly rejoin the circular cycling route around the mountain. Heading left from there, we can follow a fully paved cycle path from the edge of Tarcal back to Tokaj. Upon entering the town, turn left at the MOL petrol station: this small detour allows you to pass by the Tokaj Hétszőlő Estate and ride along the charming Szerelmi pincesor (Lovers’ Cellar Row).

Practical information and tips:

Road surface and weather: The tour includes unpaved vineyard paths and rocky trails. In muddy or rainy weather, these sections can be avoided by sticking to the circular cycling route and the asphalt road to the TV tower – the route to the Blessing Christ statue remains fully rideable this way.